'Six of the world’s 10 megaprojects over the last decade are in Turkey,' says prime minister

Six of the world’s 10 megaprojects over the last decade took place or are taking place in Turkey, the country’s Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Thursday.

“Our country will reach a much better position in the world as a result of the investments that have been turned into services. There has been a global crisis over the past ten years. It started in 2008 and it is ongoing. Six of the world’s 10 megaprojects over the last decade are in Turkey,” Yıldırım said.

“Our job is to clear the way for our citizens, and remove the obstacles in their path,” he added.

The projects include the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Marmaray Tunnel, Eurasia Tunnel, and the world’s largest airport -- all in Istanbul -- as well as the Gulf of Izmit’s Osmangazi Bridge and the Izmir Highway.

The 1.4-kilometer (0.9-mile) Yavuz Sultan Selim is the third bridge across Istanbul’s Bosporus, and the world’s longest suspension rail bridge in its class.

The earthquake-resistant Osmangazi Bridge, the world’s largest suspension bridge, has a 2,682-meter structure. The bridge over Turkey’s Marmara Sea cuts travel times between Istanbul and the country’s western provinces and is part of the new six-lane Istanbul-Izmir highway.

The 13.6-kilometer long Marmaray Tunnel, built 60 meters below sea level, has shortened the journey between the metropolitan city’s Asian and European sides to just four minutes.

The Eurasia Tunnel, the first road tunnel constructed underneath the Bosporus seabed, significantly reduces travel time between Istanbul's Asian and European sides.